Shoreland Erosion Control
for Property Owners
What does your shore look like?
Shores with little to no erosion should be
left alone. Encourage native vegetation in
the aquatic, wet transition and upland areas.
Native vegetation will continue to protect the
shore against erosion.
No erosion
Shores with slight to
moderate erosion
can benefit from one
or more of the methods described in this
fact sheet.
Consult the following pages and select an appropriate
option(s) to protect
your shoreline from
further erosion.
6”-12” vertical
erosion face
Shores with moderate to severe erosion
need more aggressive erosion control than
the methods described in this fact sheet.
Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District:
Greater
than 12”
erosion
face
Option 1
LIVE STAKES
2”-4”
What are live stakes?
Live stakes are dormant shrub/tree branches that are placed
partially into the ground with the intention of sprouting roots
and branches to form a living shrub/tree.
1’ - 3’
When should live stakes be used?
They are typically used along a shoreline where a network of
stout roots is needed to provide structure to the soil in order to
resist ice and wave action and prevent slumping of large
blocks of soil. They can be used in addition to willow wattles
and fiber logs.
How to install live stakes:
1. Locate a source of appropriate live stake material
(see description on this page). These species may
be easiest to locate when leafed out during the
growing season prior to installation. Mark with
flags, as necessary, to relocate.
2. Plan to install the live stakes as soon as the frost is
out of the ground in the spring. A maul, 3' length of
rebar, lopper, pruning sheers, and bucket will be
needed.
3. Cut 1'-3' lengths of branches that are 1/2"-1" in
diameter. Mark the top end by cutting it straight
across and the bottom end by cutting it at an angle. Smaller side branches can be pruned back to
the main branch (see diagram).
4. Put the cut branches, bottom end down, in a
bucket of water. Keep them in cool, dark, wind-free
conditions during transport (and also during
storage if unable to plant the same day). The
survival rate of live stakes is greatest if they are
cut and installed the same day.
5. To plant, drive a pilot hole using the rebar and
maul and insert the live stake. Trim the stake tops
to within 2"-4" of the ground, making sure only 2
buds remain on the exposed part of the stake.
These will later sprout and form branches.
6. Water to ensure good contact between the soil and
the live stake.
cut branch along
dashed lines
SPECIES USED FOR LIVE STAK
IN THE GREAT LAK
Sandbar Willow*
Red-osier Dog
(Salix exigua)
(Cornus stolonife
A shrub with very narrow,
long leaves having fewer
teeth than other willows. Identify in summer for use the following spring.
A shrub with brigh
Summer
branches
dotted w
photo
lenticels.
Can be i
spring.
* Note: other willow species may be used
live stakes
non-woven geotextile
Option 2
WILLOW WATTLES
(or Live Fascines)
6”12
”
What are willow wattles?
Willow wattles are long bundles of dormant shrub/tree
branches that are secured along an erosion surface
with the dual intentions of physically dissipating wave
energy and further stabilizing a shoreline by sprouting
roots and branches to form a living wall of vegetation.
When should willow wattles be used?
They should be used to prevent further erosion of the
vertical erosion face along an undercut shoreline
when woody vegetation at the water’s edge is desired.
KES AND WILLOW WATTLES
KES REGION
gwood
Black Willow*
era)
(Salix nigra)
ht red young
with warty
identified in
A tree with narrow, toothed,
lance-shaped leaves that are
green on both upper and
lower surfaces. Heartshaped stipules. Identify in
summer for use the following
spring.
lenticel
stipule
d, but anticipate a lower survival rate.
Cut 2”x4” on
diagonal to make
long stakes
2’
How to install willow wattles:
1. Assemble the necessary materials and tools. Obtain a
piece of non-woven geotextile 4' wide that will cover the
entire length of the erosion face (contact SWCD for
sources). Small wooden stakes used to anchor the top of
the fabric can be made from scrap lumber or live stakes.
Large wooden stakes used to anchor the wattle should
be made from 2"x4" lumber (see diagram). Plan for one
small stake every 2' and one large stake every 4' of the
entire length. A maul, synthetic cord, and scissors will
also be needed for installation.
2. Follow steps 1-4 of live stake installation, except cut
branches 6’-10’ in length and do not trim.
3. Lay the branches in a linear pile, staggering the cut ends
along the entire length. Keep adding branches until the
length of the branch pile equals that of the erosion face
and the diameter of the compressed pile equals the
height of the erosion face.
4. Tie the branch pile at 2’-4’ intervals with synthetic cord,
compressing branches tightly before securing each cord.
5. Cover the erosion face with geotextile, anchoring it along
the top of the erosion face with small wooden stakes
every 2 feet.
6. Place the willow wattle firmly against the erosion face,
bending it to fit the bank contour. Secure the wattle with
large wooden stakes driven through it every 4 feet.
7. Secure the submerged edge of geotextile with rocks or a
smaller diameter willow wattle (see diagram).
8. Additional live stakes can be installed through the
exposed geotextile.
Option 3
FIBER LOGS
What are fiber logs?
Fiber logs are made of compressed coconut
fiber surrounded by a mesh tube. The logs
are usually 20' long and 12” in diameter.
When should fiber logs be used?
Fiber logs can be used in place of willow
wattles as temporary protection (3-5 years) to prevent further erosion of a vertical erosion face.
They can be used in conjunction with live stakes when a more permanent protection is desired.
How to install fiber logs:
1. Assemble the necessary tools and materials. Obtain
enough fiber logs to equal the length of the erosion
face (contact SWCD for sources). Prepare large
stakes (see diagram for willow wattle). You will need
5 stakes for every 20' length of log used. A maul will
also be needed for installation.
2. Place the log firmly against the erosion face, bending
it to fit the bank contour.
3. Drive a stake into the ground every 4 feet, wedging
the log tightly between the stake and the erosion
face. If using more than one log, place them
end-to-end along erosion face.
4. If woody vegetation is needed for stabilization, live
stakes can be driven through the log or into the bank
on the landward side of the log in the early spring.
Assistance was provided in part by the Minnesota Association of RC&D Councils
and Laurentian RC&D.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital
or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-5964 (voice TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.